Not many people have heard of Bhutan. Not many people can find it on the world map. 

In fact, until the middle of the 20th century Bhutan, which loosely means the end of Tibet according to some scholars, literally did not exist for the world. 

The rugged Himalayan topography rising to more than 7000 metres to the north and dense malaria infested sub-tropical jungles to the south kept Bhutan hidden and isolated for centuries.

It was only in the 1960s that Bhutan cautiously embraced modern development and began building its first roads, schools and hospitals. 

Today, this predominantly Buddhist nation of about 750,000 people, wedged between Indian and China, is undergoing rapid change brought about by planned development, rising incomes and the powerful forces of globalization. 

Yet it remains one of the few places on this planet where an ancient culture remains vibrant as ever and the natural environment is protected and pristine.

Two thirds of the country is under forest cover, and more than half the landmass are parks and protected areas that is home to more than 200 species of mammals and about 700 species of birds  that  include the endangered White Bellied Heron and Black Necked Crane. 

Bhutan also absorbs more carbon than it produces making it one of the few carbon negative countries in the world, and its top export commodity is clean green hydropower harnessed from its fast flowing snow fed rivers gushing down the mountainsides. 

Bhutan hopes to remain that way as it embraces the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. And it draws confidence from its development philosophy of gross national happiness which espouses a more holistic approach to development going beyond material pursuit to create the conditions for its citizens to pursue happiness.